<p>My DD is applying for 7th grade of a top day school in Boston area. Besides her excellent academic records, she has strong music performance in piano and violin (won several top awards in regional and international competitions and plays 1st violin for a great youth orchestra in Boston). I just finished putting the recordings of her past performance in piano and violin into a DVD. Now I am thinking about when is the best time to send the DVD to the school my DD is applying to. We are planning to send her application form to the school around December 16th. Should I send the DVD along the application form or wait till the request from the school during the interview? Thanks and any input would be appreciated.</p>
<p>You could bring it to the interview. Be prepared, however, for them to ask for an email with a YouTube link. It’s much easier for them to pass it around electronically.</p>
<p>We did this all last year. I don’t really think the timing matters much, although we were told by one school that it’s best to send it around their deadline for applications (or even a bit after), so it’s fresh in their minds when they review files. As far as DVD versus YouTube links, we also thought the link would be preferred, but I know at least one school never looked at the link (he got in anyway). My strongest advice would be to ask if you could meet a music person (music director probably, or you could ask for orchestra conductor or chamber director) the day of your interview, then hand them the DVD and ask if you should also send either a link or DVD to the admissions office as well (they’ll probably say you don’t need to). That way you show interest, make sure the right person sees the DVD, and get to ask whatever questions you might have about the music program at the school. It was really helpful for us. Each school also then invited my son to come to a performance, and one school ask he attend a chamber music class. It really helped him to see what music would be like at each place (and, FWIW, he got in everywhere he applied). Maybe Boston day schools are different, but, at least at boarding schools, it’s quite common to meet coaches, as well as music, art, or theater directors, for kids who are serious and pretty accomplished in a particular area. Those coaches and arts directors have an interest in getting those accomplished students to come. If you don’t want to set up this sort of meeting, just send the material to the admissions office. I wouldn’t wait for them to ask-- they probably won’t, but it doesn’t mean they won’t pay attention of you send it (or hand it to them).</p>
<p>neatoburrito and Daykidmom, thanks so much for your suggestions. Besides DVD, I will definitely try using Youtube links in my communication with the school AO. Not sure if I can set up a meeting with music director, but I’ll try to request a music faculty for our interview.</p>